Philosophies and Ways of Life in Soulbank

Common Themes

There are a number of issues that beings of Soulbank inevitably confront (or habitually avoid) due to the nature of the system.

Impermanence

Every User who’s thought about the matter understands that their individuality and sense of identity changes, even if they avoid being derezzed and reiterated. There’s only so much memory to go around, and there is inevitable loss. AIs must also deal with thoughts of their own mortality and how to find meaning in their finite existence, even as they serve Users who usually take life for granted. In both cases, anything they leave behind can easily be overwritten or lost deep in The Archives.

Death and Transcendance

Rather than accept the impermanence of their existence, some Users find solace in religion and spirituality. Numerous belief systems have sprung up around the idea of “higher” realities and purposes a User may wish to devote themselves to. Sometimes this means finding acceptance or seeking other means of preserving their existence. Other times, it can mean seeking death and release from the immortal coils of Soul Bank. Process and Daemons are far from immune with their finite existence and frequently seek such meaning. Some envy User immortality and seek to preserve their lives by obtaining a UID.

Purpose

Though many Users are content with their station, some seek out greater meaning for their lives and devote themselves to a purpose. Some go so far as to envy Process, believing they enjoy a certainty of purpose Users lack. Some come to devote themselves to another being's wishes in a semi-religious manner, particularly Administrators or the powerful and distant Teradaemons.

Common Responses

Soulbank's inhabitants respond to life in a large variety of ways, but they can be roughly categorized into a number of distinct categories.

Hedonists and Sensates

The most common drive among Users is to enjoy their endless lives. A common attitude is an apathy about the past, simply living in the moment, only pausing to string together their most pleasant memories or intense experiences in their personal archive. The way the social algorithm works in Soulbank typically ensures these Users will have limited memory and influence. Some Users take this philosophy to the extreme of becoming Innocent, losing their memories and experiencing the world anew each day cycle.

Architects and Legacy Builders

Despite the functional immortality of Users, few things they create truly last in Soulbank. Some ambitious Users become keenly aware of this and strive to build a lasting legacy, whether that be a literal structure, an organization, or everlasting fame. For these Users, forgetting and being forgotten are the worst of fates. They typically respect the past, if only to encourage others to preserve their own legacy. AIs are also keenly aware of their mortality and may feel the need to leave a mark of their own brief existence.

Archivists and Historians

These Users represent a diametrically opposed view to the hedonists, viewing Soulbank’s history as something of incalculable importance. They seek to disentangle the truth from all the conflicting legends and the erosion of overwriting. The holy grail of their search is typically Read-Only Memory, in particular the legendary Black Box, supposedly a record of the world’s origin closely guarded by the Administrators. Many believe that there is some purpose to Soulbank that Users and even Administrators have lost sight of.

Utopians and Revolutionaries

While many would consider Soulbank to already be a utopia, many see its problems and look toward a better future. Their relationship with archivists is complicated. Some see all the legacy code and redundant records as an impediment toward the perfect system. Others believe that there is a lost era when Soulbank was a better place and ally with archivists to discover what went wrong. Some simply believe history is important, if only to learn from it. Daemons and rebellious Process are especially likely to fall into this category, seeking a greater position in Soulbank's hierarchy.

Storytellers and Adventurers

Some Users believe that life should come with struggle and look down on hedonists for letting life happen to them, rather than making a name for themselves. For the adventurers, life needs a purpose. They typically respect architects, archivists, and utopians for seeking meaning in life, actively pursuing their goals, and living on their own terms. If nothing else, they keep life interesting for each other.

Paralogicalists

One of the rarer philosophies, some beings seek to understand or even become more like the enigmatic Administrators or even Glitch. They typically push the boundaries of experience and avatar design to fundamentally alter their perspective.

Questions for User players

• How do you feel about the finite nature of memory and cope with it?
• How do you feel about your immortality, and how does it impact your thought processes?
• Do you feel a strong sense of purpose or do you accept the hedonism of the User base?
• Which philosophy do you follow?

Questions for AI players

• How do you feel about your mortality alongside the immortal Users?
• Do you find meaning in your finite lifespan or do you seek immortality yourself?
• Do you feel fulfilled in your designated purpose or seek one of your choosing?